Bath cloth and holder



Sept. 12, 1939. R. R. GRIFFITH ATH CLOTH AND HOLDER Filed July 26, 1937 Ifivehfor: RR. Griffith.

Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES BATH CLOTH AND HOLDER Ralph R. Griffith, St. Paul, Minn. Application July 26, 1937, Serial No. 155,634

8 Claims.

My invention relates to cleaning devices and particularly to brushing and rubbing devices for personal use.

Among the objects of my invention are the following; To provide a relatively simple and emcient sanitary bath cloth and holder for personal use; to provide a bath cloth and holder utilizing a flexible piece or strip of material such as cloth as the rubbing element; to provide a removable andreplaceablerubbingstrip of simple form which may be easily laundered; to provide a relatively simple handle and strip-supporting portion that may easily and quickly be assembled and disassembled toadapt the device for various kinds of uses; to provide a flexible strip of material having an operative rubbing surface of relatively greater roughness than the rest of the strip; to provide a quickly removable and replaceable strip of flexible material for a bath strip and to provide a bath strip having a relatively simple means to hold a mat of flexible rubbing material in proper operative position on a supporting member.

Other objects of my invention will appear from a description of several forms of devices embodying my invention illustrated in the drawing and will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the single sheet of drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a sup-porting structure embodying my invention, a part of the handle being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a view, partially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal section, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view, in lateral section, the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a view, in lateral section, the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a view, as seen from the bottom of the supporting structure, showing the first step in the mounting of the flexible strip on the support,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 showing later steps in'the mounting of the flexible taken on taken on 7 strip on the support,

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the flexible strip fully assembled and held in its proper operative position,

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a modified form of supporting portion, and,

Fig. 9 is a view in longitudinal section therethrough taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line IUI0 of Fig. 5.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, I have there lateral section, with inturned edges as is shown illustrated a handle portion II, which is relative- I I 1y narrow and preferably madeof arcuate shape in length substantially as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. It may be made of wood painted with a water resistant paint, metal, in tubular or other c section or it may be made of a molded composition material. Each side of the front end of the handle may have a longitudinally extending slot l3 therein. The supporting structure includes further a spoon-like portion l5 which, in the emi bodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, is made of relatively thin sheet material, of substantially lozenge-shape in contour and has an operative or bottom surface which is rounded in both lateral and longitudinal directions, as is shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawing. The width, of the portion 15 is appreciably greater than that of the handle. The convex surface is the operative surface of the strip-receiving portion I5 and it is to be noted that it is positioned on that side of the handle portion which is concave.

The inner end portion ll of the strip-receiving portion I5 is of substantially channel-shape in more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing and is offset a relatively large distance from the portion l5 by an intermediate portion Ha. I may pro- ,vide a resilient member H! in the shape of a leaf spring with a raised or bent-out portion intermediate its ends, having one end thereof suitably secured to the portion [7, the handle portion being provided with a corresponding and cooperating recess whereby the cloth-receiving portion and the handle portion may be held, mainly by friction, in proper operative positions relatively to each other substantially as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. A construction of this kind permits of easily and quickly assembling and disassembling the two parts whenever desired.

The concave or inner surface of portion I5 is provided with a holding means 2|, which may be ,of the kind used on automotive vehicles for holding curtains against the body of the vehicle.

This holding means may comp-rise a central stud 23 secured against the inner face of member l5 at that end thereof near portion Ila, and a collar 25, substantially oval in lateral section, which may beturned on the central stud 23. While I have illustrated a specific form of holding means,

is used must meet the requirement that itfbe i555 simple and easily operable and that it will prevent to a high degree lodgement of dirt thereon.

Referring now to Fig. of the drawing I have there illustrated a flexible rubbing or brushing strip 21 in the shape of an elongated piece of flexible material, which may be either of rubber or of cloth in the nature of turkish towelling, or other material which can be easily and quickly laundered or otherwise kept in sanitary condition, and which preferably has part or all of its operative surface roughened. The general shape of strip 21 is substantially that shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, slightly arcuate in outline, the ends having rounded corners and connected by an angularly extending edge. The lateral width of the strip is slightly greater than the length of one of the diagonal edges of member [5. An elongated opening 29 is provided near each outer corner to cooperate with the holding means. If the strip is made of cloth it may be provided with a binding 21a sewed around its edges.

The strip 21 is provided with a pocket 3| at substantially the middle of its length and at its inner surface, this pocket being adapted to fit over the spoon-like portion I5, particularly at the outer end thereof, while the main body of the mat 21 faces the concave or inner surface of member I5.

Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have there illustrated the next steps in the mounting of the flexible strip on the strip-receiving portioni l5, the drawing showing one of the end portions of the strip 21 as having been folded over against one of the outer diagonally-extending edges of portion l5, thereby bringing that end of the strip into the position shown in Fig. 6 where it extends diagonally backwardly toward the member H. The next step is to fold the extreme end of the bent-over part of the strip around the opposite inner diagonally-extending edge of the member I5, the angularly extending edge of this portion being shown by the broken line 28, so that the holding means 2| will fit into the oval opening 29.

The next step is to fold the other end portion of the strip diagonally backwardly over the other outer diagonally extending edge of member i5 and the first end portion of the strip and then to fold the extreme end portion thereof, as was done 'withthe first end portion of the strip, so that it will be" located against the inner side of member l5 and so that the holding means 2| will fit into the second opening 29. The movable part 25 of the holding means may then be turned through substantially 90 to thereby hold the strip, folded as above described, in proper operative position The general shape and appearance of the flexible strip is shown particularly in Fig. 7 of the drawing in top plan view. It may be noted that this method of mounting the strip on the member 15 provides two thicknesses of material on the outer or rubbing surface of the bath cloth, whereby a relatively highly elastic rubbing surface is pro- 'vided, even though backed by the relatively hard and unyielding material of the member l5.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, I have there illustrated a somewhat different form of strip- ,supporting portion 4| which, as will be seen more particularly from Fig. 8 of the drawing, has the general appearance of a spade with a rounded out-er end, although it is substantially of the same general construction as is member l5. It comprises a strip-receiving portion 43, a handle-engaging portion 45 and an angularly extending connecting portion 41. The handle-engaging portion 45 is similar to portion I! so that, if desired, it may be used with the same handle I I, thus permitting interchangeable use of either strip-receiving portion with one handle.

A strip or rubbing element 49 is of substantially rectangular contour to conform to the shape of portion 43, and has a piece of cloth 5| on its rear surface to provide a pocket into which the stripreceiving portion 43 is adapted to fit. A grooved pin 53 may be secured to the portion 41 adjacent to the outer or operative surface of portion 43, to be engaged by a snap fastener 55 secured to the narrow inner end of the strip 49. This type of snap fastener is also well known in the art and has been used in automotive vehicles for securing curtains to the body of the vehicle. I do not desire to be limited to the specific forms of strip-securing or holding means shown and described since I may use any holding means. effective for the desired purpose of securely holding the strip on the strip-receiving portion.

I have found that the curved form of handle and the off-set strip-receiving portion are important elements in the design and use of a bath cloth of this type in that they permit the user to reach parts of the body, such as the back, not otherwise easily accessible. This can be done readily because of the relatively large amount of curvature of the handle by the user holding the outer end portion of the handle just above the shoulder. The thinness of members 15 and 43 makes possible the use of the device between the toes. As noted above I may make the strip of rubber or a relatively thick or heavy open-mesh fabric or cloth, such as turkish towelling and, if desired, I may provide one or more, additional pieces 56 of material having greater roughness on the strip, which pieces are so located on the strip as to be on the outside or rubbing surface of the strip when it is assembled on the strip-receiving portion. It is obvious that it is easy to provide integral surfaces 55 of greater roughness in case a strip or piece of rubber is used instead of cloth. Since the strip shown in Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawing provides two rubbing surfaces on the strip, usable selectively, a mat of this kind will have a long life.

A strip of the kind shown in the drawing is easily and quickly assembled on the strip-receiv- I -r'ie'ss inay'be used. When the strip is of a woven fabric it is easily possible to provide portions thereof of greater roughness, whenever desired. Strips of different degree of roughness will permit of dry rubbing of the body to any desired degree. The relatively simple shape and construction of the strips means a low cost of manufacture and a single handle and strip-receiving portion in a family will permit of the use of individual strips, one for each member of the family. It is evident also, that the strips may be made in color to harmonize with the color scheme of a bath room or to meet individual color preference. Initials of the owner or designs may be provided on the cloth strips Whenever desired, a feature of interest and value when devices of this kind are provided by hotels for their patrons and guests. As the strips are of simple form and construction, they are easily laundered and maintained in sanitary condition.

The device embodying my invention is rela tively simple, includes a minimum number of parts which are easily and quickly assembled and disassembled, and I have found that a device of this type is very useful in bathing, personal hygiene and in massaging the body, as in a dry rub.

Various modifications may be made in the device embodying my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and I desire therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A bath cloth and holder comprising a curved handle, a spoon-like supporting portion of lozenge-shape in contour removably mounted on said handle, a holding means on said supporting portion and a strip of flexible material having a pocket at substantially the middle of its length and removably fitting on the spoon-like portion and having its two ends wrapped angularly around the spoon-like portion and held thereagainst by the holding means.

2. A bath cloth and holder comprising a curved handle, a spoon-like supporting portion removably associated with said handle, a holding means on the supporting portion near said handle and a strip of flexible material having a pocket intermediate its ends and fitting on the outer end of the supporting portion, the two end portions of said flexible strip encircling the spoon-like portion from the outer to the inner end thereof and engaging the holding means to hold the strip in tightly wound overlapping position on the supporting portion.

3. In a bath cloth and holder, the combination with a handle and a spoon-like supporting portion having a holding means thereon, of a strip of flexible material having a pocket on its inner side at substantially its middle and fitting on the outer end of said spoon-like supporting portion, the two end portions of said strip extending around said spoon-like portion toward the rear end thereof and interfitting with the holding means to hold the strip in closely assembled relationship on said spoon-like portion.

4. A bath cloth and holder comprising a handle portion and a spoon-like portion, the lateral width of the spoon-like portion being appreciably greater than that of the handle portion, a holding means on the spoon-like portion and a flexible fabric strip longer than said spoon-like portion removably mounted on said spoon-like portion and having a pocket intermediate its ends fitted on said spoon-like portion and having at least one end portion held wrapped around said spoon-like portion by said holding means.

5. A bath cloth and holder comprising a curved handle portion, a spoon-like portion normally carried by the handle portion and removable therefrom, a holding means on the spoon-like portion at its concave side near the handle and a flexible fabric strip having a pocket intermediate its ends fitted on the spoon-like portion to hold one part of the flexible strip thereon and having also at least one end portion engaged by said holding means, said holding means retaining the flexible strip in wrapped around position on the spoon-like portion.

6. In a bath cloth and holder, the combination with a handle and a spoon-like supporting portion of thin sheet material and a holding means on the concave side, of a fabric strip removably mounted on said spoon-like supporting portion, said strip having a pocket intermediate its ends fitted on the outer end of the supporting portion and having at least one end portion on one face of said supporting portion and ex tending toward the inner end thereof into engagement with the holding means.

7. A bath cloth and holder comprising a handle and a cloth receiving portion of thin sheet material, a cloth holding means on the cloth receiving portion and a flexible strip of material remov ably mounted on said cloth receiving portion, said strip having means intermediate its ends inter-- fitted with said cloth receiving portion and having at least one end portion held wrapped around said cloth receiving portion by said cloth holding means.

8. A bath cloth and holder comprising a handle portion and a spoon-like portion, a single holding means on the spoon-like portion and a flexible strip of fabric removaby mounted on said spoon-like portion, said strip having means intermediate its ends positioning an intermediate portion of the strip on said spoon-like portion at the front end thereof both laterally and longitudinally thereof, the two end portions of the strip being held wrapped around the spoon-like portion in opposite directions by said single holding means.

RALPH R. GRIFFITH. 

